Community
29 January, 2025
Whitehead named Citizen of the Year
A TIMBOON resident who is the embodiment of a volunteer, an emerging leader from Port Campbell and a black-tie event celebrating the end of the harvest season earned top honours at Corangamite Shire’s Australia Day Event over the weekend.
Timboon’s Leeanne Whitehead was named Corangamite Shire’s 2025 Citizen of the Year.
She currently serves as the secretary of the town’s recreation reserve committee and Timboon Action’s Timboon 150th birthday committee, was an integral part of the team who developed the Timboon Makers and Farmers Market, regularly volunteers at parkrun and helps to publish a community newsletter.
Mrs Whitehead said she would accept the award “on behalf of everyone who volunteers”.
“Everyone who gets out and gets their hands dirty makes a difference,” she said.
“I’m really appreciative of everyone who put the effort in to put in a nomination and that they thought I was worthy of it.
“Volunteering has been a team effort.
“I couldn’t have done what I’ve done without my husband and three sons. As a dairy farmer there’s no way I could have done it without them.”
Port Campbell’s Alysa Hibburt was named Young Community Volunteer of the Year for her leadership at the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club.
Ms Hibburt serves as a club’s patrol captain in Port Campbell and the club’s outpost patrol in Peterborough over Summer.
She leads a team of 7-10 volunteer lifesavers with varying skills and experiences, holds 35 Life Saving Awards and has a career total of 155 voluntary patrol hours since beginning patrols in 2019.
“Definitely surprised and grateful that I’ve been recognised for my efforts,” Ms Hibburt said.
“Volunteering at the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club has been such a rewarding experience, and I’ve been fortunate to work alongside such dedicated individuals who inspire me to continue giving back.
“I really enjoy being down at the club and I think the most rewarding part is seeing other people thrive.
“When I was the age manager for the Under 14 Nippers I made sure to put in the extra effort to ensure they got the best experience I could give them, and I always told them to have fun.
“Now, I have seen 15 young SRC kids enjoying volunteer patrol, putting their skills into practice and having fun, I feel proud to be a part of their volunteering journey.”
The Harvfest Ball won the Community Event of the Year award.
Organising committee member Darren Fletcher thanked the people who nominated the black-tie event.
“Obviously they can see the hard work we’re doing and the benefit to the community,” he said.
“It’s been a really rewarding experience.
“The greatest thing we’ve done is a lot of breakfast clubs—in Lake Bolac and for the last five years in Skipton—so kids can come to school and have a nutritious meal.
“There was a hole in our community for that kind of work. It’s much needed in a farming community.”
Mr Fletcher said organisers aimed to keep the event local as much as possible, with half the tickets reserved for people who have come for three or more years.
“We palm out jobs to local community organisations and they get paid as a donation,” he said.
“After the financials are all sorted out we ask people to write in and ask for grants.
“After this year’s ball we hope to have put $200,000 back into the community.”
Mayor Kate Makin congratulated the award recipients and thanked all the volunteers who contribute to community life in Corangamite.
“Our award winners this year truly deserve it for their fantastic contributions to the community,” she said.
“Their dedication and passion make a significant impact in the shire by help other people build connections, open up new opportunities and resources and contributing to overall wellbeing of our friends and neighbours.
“I highly recommend everyone get involved in a sporting club, community group, or service organisation because we can all make a real difference and gain a sense of accomplishment.”
At the event, Cr Makin also officiated over the citizenship ceremony for six new Australians from New Zealand and the Philippines.
Samuel Groen, Nikita Millar, Rich Nabuab and Mary Jane Weston, and Geoffrey and Glenys Rendell all took the citizenship pledge.
Bookaar’s Olympian and world champion shooter Penny Smith was special guest speaker, sharing her inspirational story of success.
The Camperdown Theatre Company and Lakes and Craters Band provided the music and Lions Club of Camperdown cooked a free barbecue for the community after the formalities concluded.
The following nominees received certificates of commendation:
Citizen of the Year
Maureen and Robert Larkins – Camperdown;
Helen Moloney – Camperdown;
Gwen George – Camperdown;
Gary O’Neil – Camperdown;
Phil Green – Skipton;
Karen Bodman – Skipton;
Ian Phillips – Skipton;
Rebecca Farey – Noorat;
Georgina Conheady – Noorat;
Josie Douglas – Camperdown;
John Hulm – Camperdown;
Laura Conheady – Noorat;
Joycy Salas – Cooriemungle;
Mandi Poustie – Cooriemungle;
Alison Byrne – Chocolyn;
Gary Kimber – Cobden;
Friends of the RSL – Skipton Branch;
Jane McSween – Camperdown;
Kylie Spokes – Weerite; and
Debbie McIntyre – Skipton.
Young Citizen of the Year
Sara Kennedy – Pittong;
Riley Stephenson – Camperdown; and
Bentley Currell – Camperdown.
Community Event of the Year
Skipton Spring Festival;
Lakes and Craters International Horse Trials;
Cobden Pioneer Park Sunday Funday; and
Camperdown Carols by Candlelight.
